Acoustic Thermal Shield With Embedded Patch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic and thermal protection screens for motor vehicles face challenges with multilayer patches that require specific fixings and complex manufacturing processes, often exceeding allocated volume and increasing costs, due to the need for protrusions and bonding operations.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a multilayer thermal protection patch into the shell's volume, where it is confined by a reflective metal covering layer, eliminating the need for specific fixings and simplifying the manufacturing process by using a non-bonded, embossed metal sheet configuration that is retained within a housing defined by the shell's compressed zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multilayer thermal protection patch is attached by creating a protrusion, then the patch can be fixed in place, but the screen exceeds the allocated volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatch fixationVSAvoidscreen volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the thermal protection patch within a housing formed by compressed zones of the shell, nesting the patch inside the existing structure rather than adding external protrusions. The housing is created by locally compressing the porous shell material to form a cavity that receives and contains the patch, eliminating volume excess while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If specific fixings (rivets, adhesive) are used to attach the patch, then the patch can be securely fixed, but the manufacture of the screen is complicated and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatch fixationVSAvoidscreen manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the reflective metal covering layer to perform the fixation function itself by adhering to the housing and securing the patch in place. The covering layer acts as both a protective element and a fixation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate rivets, adhesives, or other specialized fixing components, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If multilayer patch layers are associated by crimping or peripheral folding, then the patch maintains structural integrity, but the production of the screen is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatch layer associationVSAvoidscreen production
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of holding the patch layers together and securing the patch to the housing into a single integrated solution. The reflective metal covering layer simultaneously maintains the association of the patch layers and fixes the entire patch assembly to the housing, eliminating the need for separate crimping or peripheral folding operations and thereby increasing production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Temperature

If a localized thermal protection patch is added, then thermal performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidscreen structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermal protection locally by placing a patch only in the specific zone requiring enhanced thermal resistance, rather than uniformly across the entire screen. The housing is formed by localized compression of the shell, and the reflective metal covering is applied only where needed, maintaining simplicity while providing targeted thermal protection where most required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures the patch fits within the allocated volume, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and maintains thermal performance while optimizing weight and cost by using a localized, partially covering reflective layer with perforations for acoustic wave absorption.

Implementation Method 1

adding a layer to the surface of said shell that reflects infrared radiation (aluminum strip, aluminized film, etc.)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The thermal protection function can be linked directly to the intrinsic thermal insulation properties of the shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the patch being confined in the housing, the depth of which corresponds to the thickness of said patch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 4

the layer 9 is provided with a plurality of perforations 10, so as to allow passage of the acoustic waves within the housing 6 and the shell 2 with a view to their absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic wave transmission: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2628643B1Acoustic and thermal protection shield for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 CENTRE DETUDE ET DE RECHERCHE POUR LAUTOMOBILE (CERA)
  • EP2628643B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The shield (1) has a shell (2) containing porous material and including an internal face (3) and an external face (4). A compressed zone (5) of the shell defines a housing (6) at a side of the internal face. A thermal protection patch (7) includes a stack of embossed metal sheets (8). The sheets are unbonded with each other. The patch is placed in the housing, where thickness of the patch corresponds to depth of the housing. A reflective metal covering layer (9) is adhered to the internal face to maintain the patch in the housing. : An independent claim is also included for a method for realizing a shield. USE : Acoustic and thermal protection shield for a car. ADVANTAGE : The patch is integrated in volume of the shell, so that risk that the shield cannot hold the patch and the shell in the allocated volume, is avoided while the fixation of the patch does not require utilization of specific fasteners, and the patch is maintained by the covering layer. The sheets are unbonded with each other, so that the shield can be manufactured in a simple manner. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a schematic view of an acoustic and thermal protection shield. 1 : Acoustic and thermal protection shield 2 : Shell 3 : Internal face 4 : External face 5 : Compressed zone 6 : Housing 7 : Thermal protection patch 8 : Embossed metal sheets 9 : Reflective metal covering layer.